No. 18 
Budget provides $11.5 million to improve water security

Water security in the ACT has been boosted following an injection of $11.5 million to harvest storm water for irrigation purposes in Gungahlin and the Molonglo Valley, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Simon Corbell, announced today.

“Conservation of our water supplies remains one of the most pressing issues facing the Territory and this initiative will allow us to meet that challenge,” Mr Corbell said.

“The Government has already invested heavily in wetland ponds across the inner northern suburbs of Canberra, and these projects will see new ponds and stormwater harvesting infrastructure built in other suburban areas of the ACT.”

The funding will provide for two projects, one in the Molonglo Valley and the other in Gungahlin.

The Budget provides $5 million to construct stormwater reticulation infrastructure (pipes and pumps) from the North Weston Pond, located adjacent to the Cotter Road.  

“The pond which is currently being built by the Department of Territory and Municipal Services will perform a number of functions, including improving the quality of water in the Molonglo River and adding to the visual appeal of the new suburbs of Coombs and Wright,” Mr Corbell added.

“The construction of the complementary reticulation infrastructure will allow water from the pond to be used to irrigate sports grounds and schools in Weston Creek and Coombs and Wright.”

The Budget also provides $6.5 million for the construction of three connected ponds on Ginninderra Creek at the corner of Gungahlin Drive and the Valley Avenue in Gungahlin.

“The ponds will provide non-potable water for irrigation through the construction of reticulation infrastructure to meet local irrigation demands, including the Gungahlin Centre Town Park, Gungahlin College, Gungahlin Enclosed Oval and Burgmann College,” Mr Corbell said.

They are the latest landmark in the ongoing delivery of the Canberra Integrated Urban Waterways project which was announced in 2006 and has the long-term objective of replacing three gigalitres of potable water with alternative sources of water by 2015.

“The urban waterways project has seen the construction of two ponds in Flemington Road, Mitchell, and the development of two ponds in Dickson and Lyneham that will be used to provide non-potable water for irrigation,” Mr Corbell said.

“Gungahlin is the ACT’s fastest growing suburb and the new suburbs in the Molonglo Valley will also lead to population growth in that region.

“By acting now to protect potable water and make better use of non-potable supples, the Government is helping to ensure the growing demands of these regions for water is met.”

4 May 2010
Media Contact:   	Patrick Cronan 		6205 0401 (w) 	0432 758 224 (m)
			patrick.cronan@act.gov.au